Act 2 Summary

The second act opens in the same living room where Penny is talking to an actress, Gay Wellington, who has come to the apartment to read for one of Penny's plays. Gay, however, is more interested in drinking gin than in acting. Alice is happily giving instructions to family members about their roles in tomorrow night's dinner to which Tony and his parents have been invited. The menu has been finalized, and the family agrees to behave in the company of Tony's parents.

Life in the household continues as usual tonight for this unusual family. Mr. DePinna emerges from the basement with a painting of himself as a discus thrower that Penny had begun eight years ago. Enthused at the prospect of a new creative outlet, Penny changes into her artist costume to complete the painting, which requires Mr. DePinna to don a...